koistyfishy's reviews
362 reviews

4.5 Bastian Sandwiches Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

THE CAKE IS NOT A LIE!!!! THERE ARE SANDWICHES... AND YOUR HUNGRY GIRL GORGED HERSELF!

Welll.... whoa. I feel like I was just on a rollercoaster the way that book threw me around with twists, turns, and unexpected thrills. I was terrified, I was thrilled... and I was just enjoying the ride.

Please note: I cannot comment on aspects of this book without mentioning spoilers from A Kiss of Iron and A Touch of Poison. If this bothers you...I would advise you to stop reading and go and enjoy those books first before continuing onward

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
This picks up exactly where book two finished. Kat has been sent to the Dawn Court as a “guest,” meaning a prisoner, and Bastion is left reeling. Kat has also discovered that Cyrus was behind the Dawn King’s death, so now she must navigate yet another court, becoming another piece in yet another political chess game, while still trying to find a way home (The Night Court). Meanwhile, Bastion is also working on getting Kat home, also trying to uncover the full extent of the New Dawn King’s betrayal, especially as Cyrus becomes increasingly tyrannical with each of his new decrees.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
It is almost hard to review this without feeling like I am reviewing the entire series. I was honestly nervous about picking up this book. A Touch of Poison was the catalyst that threw me into what I called my "2024 Fantasy Slump" so I was scared the slump was going to impact my feelings of this...

I love how this grand finale showcases the tremendous detail and care Claire Sager poured into her work. It just proves how ingenious she was weaving in all the details of the intricate plot. From aspects planted way back in book one to everything across this series, readers are taken on a journey of overcoming trauma. Claire excels at showing how characters must acknowledge their trauma and integrate it into who they are, not letting it define them but also not ignoring its impact.

Kat, or Lady Katherine Ferris, was not my favourite in book one. I wanted her to stand up for herself, and be more empowered. Through all the trials she has faced, she truly blossoms. Witnessing her evolution from that meek and passive person who was desperate to survive, to someone worthy of the “wicked lady” title felt like a full-circle transformation. She is a queen in her own right, a woman who endured all manner of hardships. From having her life dictated by others, and used as a pawn by nearly everyone except Bastion she finally stands up for her own happiness. Bastion himself is still the deadly, badass presence we know, but this time we see a more emotional side, largely due to all the explosive plot twists that keep you on your toes.

This book moves at a breakneck pace, both physically and emotionally. You just start to think you have a handle on one thing, only to be thrown another curveball. If we as readers feel this way, just imagine how Bastion or Kat must be coping when they live through each bombshell.

I also love how the side characters make this world feel enormous, without ever making you feel lost if you have not read the other books.

My only criticism is that, with so many revelations, some feel rushed. At times, I wanted more buildup leading to a new twist. Occasionally, events or information come out of the left field, and I wished certain scenes had been fleshed out further instead of glossed over in a few lines before the next shock so I wish Claire would have stretched this into four books. She condensed a lot into this trilogy, and you can tell how thoroughly she planned each thread so no stone was left unturned and no open end remained unresolved. Everything is wrapped up neatly in the end. It closes out the series in a way that feels satisfying, and I loved it.

The spice factor ramps up too. The mention of cake or sandwiches or hot dogs - perhaps two sausages, one bun (whatever food metaphor you want, is a clue). The love scenes never feel repetitive; they stay fresh and organic, and I had a blast reading them.

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ FaeXHuman
▶ Political Intrigue
▶ Intricate Magic System
▶ Shadow Daddy MMC
▶ Pierced MMC
▶ Cages Her with his Arms
▶ "Lift Your Hips For Me"
▶ "Mine"
▶ Spicy Water Scene
▶ Voyeurism
▶ Hand Necklaces

Overall get ready for a wild, fast and thrilling ride, sad at times, yet heartwarming. If you have come this far, you already care deeply for these characters and want to see them earn their happily ever after. So jump right in and enjoy the show, because you are in for a treat.

Thank you so much to Clare Sager for the gifted copy! All thoughts and Opinions are my own 

3 Bananaconda Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️/5

Okay, I wanted to love this, but it tried to be a little too “woke,” and I just got irritated because the wokeness never stopped.

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
This follows Penelope Quinn, who is an assistant to a super-mega-popular singer named Kelsey Best, (basically our version of Taylor Swift). Kelsey is dating a football player, which means Penelope often ends up in situations around Declan and his family and becomes very close friends with Everett Kingman, Declan's younger brother. The issue is Declan sees Penelope as a little sister, and that means she is VERY off-limits for Everett, even though he has secretly been in love with her for ages. Secretly Penelope has the biggest crush on Everett but believes a professional star athlete like him will never look at a bigger girl like her. One day, Penelope needs a date for the Grampys (yes, insert eye-roll emoji here… everything’s a bloody pun in this book), so she enlists Everett, "The Love Guru", to teach her how to date so she can find someone to bring with her. And we all know how dating lessons go when both people are irrevocably in love.

Penelope actually frustrated me. And it wasn't the narration because that was fantastic... but HOW she is written. A lot of her actions happen in Everett's POV so we only see the outcome and not her internal reasoning. I wanted more insight into her thought process but most times when this happened we were in Everett's POV watching him react to how she behaved, which seemed very disconnected.

Penelope is incredibly self-conscious, hard on herself, and fixated on her self-image. Where this would get weird is Pen’s internal dialogue feels shy and apprehensive, so it threw me off when, in Everett’s POV, she would suddenly flip into doing something bold. Luckily Everett felt consistent no matter whose POV I was in as he stayed true to the character.

Everett is such a sweetheart, though he’s hard on himself because of how the world sees him. He believes that the public perception of him being the "love guru" and helping others find love, means he can’t be happy, can’t find love, and can’t be the man Penelope deserves. He has to work through that emotional journey, eventually admitting that she rocks his world.

NOW... what frustrated me is the tongue-in-cheek, satirical, “woke” elements referencing social media and pop culture. I couldn’t take it seriously when they mentioned “the Grampys” and “flip-flop” for real-life equivalents. I would’ve preferred they just use “the Grammys” or “TikTok” or “Instagram,” unless there’s some legal reason they couldn’t. Every time they said “Grampy,” I rolled my eyes because we know they mean the Grammys and I HAVE TOTALLY HEARD OTHER BOOKS CALL IT THE REAL NAMES.

Also, I read books to escape reality, especially as a bigger girl myself with insecurities. I want to be whisked away by a hot NFL player making googly eyes at me, not be reminded over and over about body positivity. A big part of the book is about accepting who you are and what you look like, regardless of shape, form, or weight. It sometimes felt like a self-help message layered into the story, and while I get it’s important, and many people will love that aspect, I felt it was hammered in too heavily. I just wanted the plot to move on... I was READING A ROMANCE... NOT A SELF HELP BOOK!

It did also take me a bit to figure out who was who in the side characters, but that’s on me. This is the first book I’ve read in the series, so I wasn’t familiar with all the side characters who already had their own stories and their role in the universe...

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Sports Romance (Football)
▶ Friends to Lovers
▶ Forbidden Romance
▶ Dating Coach
▶ It's Always Been You
▶ Celebrity Romance
▶ Plus Size Rep
▶ Banter
▶ Band of Brothers (Literally)

and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Nicknames
▷ Dirty Talk
▷ Car Sex
▷ Squirting...

Overall, the voice acting was excellent. If you want a book with these tropes mentioned above maybe you’ll enjoy it more than I did. You might find more joy in the body-positivity angle than I did.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Amy Award for the gifted copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own
-=-=-=-= -=-=-=-= -=-=-=-=-

The first 5 mins into this and I am thinking.... what a COCKY man... and that is not a comment about the snake in his pants... 

4 Little Doe Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️.5/5

Who would have thought that a demon without a face could be the biggest cinnamon roll in the world? I’m talking cute, adorable, puppy-like squishiness!!!!

I also really appreciated that this book started with an author’s note explaining that she uses standard English, not American English, so the spelling and certain word choices are expected. And I love that she included the line about “cunt being coveted like a little puppy.” It made me giggle, and I knew from the start that I was going to have a fun time with this book.

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Reia, is considered the town’s pariah because she’s the only survivor of a tragic, horrific demon attack that wiped out her entire family. People believe she’s "demon-touched" and a harbinger of death, because the demons didn’t want to eat her. Now every ten years, a Duskwalker (Orpheus) comes to town and "steals a bride", casting a spell of protection on the village which shields the village from invading demons. Reia is chosen as tribute, even though the brides are meant to be voluntary and her choice was between being a bride to a monster or living in a dungeon. He carries her into the Vale (The place where all the demons live) and brings her to his cabin in the woods, where every day is a test of survival.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
I really like Reia’s spunk. She’s a go-getter, refusing to let her situation drag her down. She’s isolated in a cabin with a monster and could easily, like all the other brides before her, cry herself to sleep and lock herself away in a depressive state. Instead, she decides this is her life now, she’s not dead, and he hasn’t killed her yet, so she might as well make the most of it... including baking cookies, even though they have no flour and would need to get some.

Originally, Orpheus comes off as scary and elusive, but he’s also very careful. It becomes clear that he’s just lonely, searching for companionship, and everyone always leaves him. He has serious abandonment issues and suffers from grief from the people he’s brought to the cabin before (that all BASICALLY DIED). He just wants someone to live with him and share his existence. Romance isn’t really on his mind, he’s actually kind of a himbo who doesn’t understand sex or sexual gratification much, so he and Reia have to figure that out... collaboratively.

The more Orpheus is unpacked, the more you see he’s an absolute sweetheart. He’s so considerate, and yes, sometimes primal. He is a monster (duh) and he definitely has that “mine” mentality if that’s your kink. There’s also a slight breeding kink that crops up, and OF COURSE a little Stockholm syndrome.

This book does move at a slower pace and a lot of it focuses on the bucolic "country living", but without the rolling hills and livestock (BECAUSE THEY WILL ALL BE EATEN). It contains a lot of details about how they live in a demon-infested hellscape, how they survive, protect themselves, and manage day-to-day tasks like making food and protection amulets. There’s plenty of hunting, cooking, farming, and tending to the house and bathing. THERE IS A LOT OF BATHING!

Despite the slow going, I love how Reia ends up bossing Orpheus around, convincing him to open up and listen to her. It’s sweet how this girl, who lost her entire family and was outcast by her village, finds a kindred soul in a faceless demon.

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ CaptorXCaptive (Forced Proximity)
▶ Beauty and the Beast Monster Romance
▶ Alphamale
▶ Spicy/Steamy Water Scenes (Bathing, a lot of bathing)
▶ Demons and Magic
▶ Cinnamon Roll
▶ Slow Burn

and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Primal Play
▷ Fingers can't close
▷ It Won't Fit
▷ He has a tail
▷ "Mine"

Despite the blood, gore, and demons...the story turned out surprisingly wholesome and sweet, which I didn’t expect when I picked it up... but I really enjoyed it. 

4 Mi Esposa Bunny Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️.5/5

This is two books so this might be LONG....
Book 1 follows Angel and Emma and Book 2 follows Omar (Angel's brother) and Lyse. The overall rating is the combination of the two.

This is my first Bella Ash book, and as I have not read many organized crime books, I was not sure what to expect. But I was looking for something drama-esque, and this definitely delivered.

The two books need to be read in order, as Omar's book follows directly from Angels and while the main couples shift focus, the overarching plot continues.

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝟭:
𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Angel is the oldest son in the Castillo Cartel and one day at a bar he is saved by a messenger woman when a shootout breaks out. Given the shootout was conducted by a rival cartel she not only gained a "life debt" with Angel but a target from the rival cartel, given everything she saw. As payment for her service, Angel's father orders him to marry Emma so she is protected.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
I totally thought this was originally a MAFIA novel... not Cartel... BUT I DIDN'T HATE THAT! It was a pretty easy read, and I read it pretty quickly, but that’s very much a sign of the type of book that it is. Quick and Easy.

Angel and Emma feel very superficial or generic, almost like you’re reading fanfiction. The story doesn't go very deep into anything and it seemed a pretty predictable and run-of-the-mill situation. He’s a bad boy, she’s innocent, and he’s dominating and trying to make his place in the family with his father who doesn’t want to give up power and shows "love" through punishment.

Their relationship was basically just sex. There was no development between the two of them because the only times they’re really together is when she’s feeding him or when they’re having sex. And it’s pretty much standard "vanilla sex". I expected someone who’s basically the head of a cartel, to be more sexually adventurous, and I think the most scandalous thing he did was go down on her.

The story was trippy and predictable, and pretty much what you’d expect, which I’m not going to hate on too much, BECAUSE THAT IS THE KIND OF STORY I WANTED TO PICK UP! I picked it for the organised crime-forced-marriage trope, and I got exactly that!

What I do wish is that this had more development in the love area and for Angel and Emma to not annoy me as much as they did. Emma specifically annoyed me because it was constantly said and "implied" that she has a backbone, but as the reader you never really see it... she never makes Angel work for her love. The climax of the book was solved way too quickly, and it never really resolved any of the conflicts that hinted at growth in their relationship. They jumped right back into bed together.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝟮:
𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
After the events of Book 1, Omar (Angel's youngest brother) is ANGRY. He decides to take revenge on the rival family which caused everything and crashes an engagement party. He proceeds to go on a little killing spree and ends up taking the future bride hostage. Hoping her "groom" can help clean up the bloody mess, given his up-and-coming political career. But things start to turn messy when he realises the woman he kidnapped is Lyse Rojas, the only daughter of the rival family he hates. And the more time he spends with her, he starts falling for her and the idea of returning her to her future husband and family becomes more and more difficult.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
Lyse and Omar's story was much MORE enjoyable than Angel and Emma and that is why I gave this book the overall 4-star rating because they carried the story.

This gave me more in terms of tropes but that is what I LOVED. It offered more of that giddy feeling and I think it was because the tension between Omar and Lyse felt heavier. This had the characters needing to work their their history and rivalry, making this a a true enemies-to-lovers and how love can overcome animosity.

The issue with the relationship development was NON-EXISTANT in this... Omar and Lyse gradually got to the point where she initiated sex with him, and it felt much more believable how these two came together. There are similarities in the brother's stories, they both keep their women "Captive" and find love through some element of Stockholm syndrome... But it was still enjoyable.

Omar is a gooey, huge teddy bear cinnamon roll and while he may be deadly with a gun, he is still romantic and cute. He has that "vibe" where he is so big people think he must be dumb, but he is super observant, which makes you want to hug him.

I also LOVED that Lyse had a backbone. She was the total opposite of Emma. Lyse made Omar earn her love, but she stood up for him and was willing to fight for him, just as he was for her. Since she grew up in the "crime" world she knows what it is like to be in a Cartel Family and the expectations of that. She just seemed more at ease, and so she and Omar's relationship had more chemistry and a better foundation.

Also, my heart melts for any man who washes a girl’s hair, and the fact that Omar did this multiple times, being gooey, sappy, cute, and romantic in the simplest ways was just so sweet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ CaptorXCaptive Romance
▶ Alpha Male
▶ Organised Crime
▶ Morally Grey MMC
▶ Virgin FMC
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Burn the World for You

and 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ It Won't Fit
▷ Nicknames
▷ "Mine"
▷ Chin Lift

𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 1 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨::
▶ Forced Marriage
▶ Biting
▶ Strangers to Lovers

𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 2 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨::
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ Kidnapping

𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 2 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Washes Her Hair

All in all, I had a good time with this. It had a good vibe, was super easy to read, and was distracting in the best way!

Thank you to Relay Publishing, Netgalley and Bella Ash for the gifted copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own 

5 Stalker Grumpy Cat Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level:🌶️🌶️/5

Now this was an interesting read for me, and I stand by what I said for Sticks and Stones that these books (this Series) is basically the type of book you read if you’re looking for an intro to Dark Romance. While there are a couple of triggers, it’s not overbearing or overly hard to handle, and you’re still dealing with generally a green-flag MMC.

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Briar Hart, who used to be a hockey player. One night, while painting a commission in an abandoned building, the building was set on fire. Trapped and desperate to escape she jumps from the second-story window, shattering her knee and Hockey dreams. One day, she meets Cassius Thorne and something about her intrigues him; and life keeps putting them in the same place at the same time. It turns out Cassius Thorne has access to a state-of-the-art fitness centre that could help her rehabilitate her knee. In exchange, he needs someone to pretend to be his girlfriend to pacify his parents. It’s a win-win, but we all know that fake feelings don’t always stay fake.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
Briar is angry. She was angry before her accident channelling that rage into hockey. Now she’s furious that her entire future has been jeopardised, and she has no control over pursuing it. She’s in constant pain from her injury, and she hates showing weakness or vulnerability to anyone as she doesn’t want to become the laughingstock of the university or a pity case for what happened to her. So she hides her emotions, her pain, everything and doesn't open up very easily.

Cassius Thorne is, oh my god, a gooey cinnamon roll. Not only is he popular, a quarterback, and incredibly sexy! But he’s sweet and cute and flirty, with a smirk that can melt your panties. He’s the typical type of man written by women, because of course he’s rocking an eight-pack and is sexy as hell, BUT I AM ALL HERE FOR IT!

I really liked how their relationship developed. It never felt rushed or forced, these two were just comfortable with each other and you could see how much they enjoyed each other’s company and how simply being around each other calmed them down. The relationship just felt real, meaningful, and realistic. Their emotional connection, the way they help each other through low points, and are thrilled for the other during the high points, was sweet.

I need to commend these two authors for taking two of my FAVOURITE tropes (and one normally only seen in Fantasy) and finding a way to put them into this romance... They share a bath and SHE HOLDS A KNIFE TO HIS THROAT! It was perfection! It's the stuff that made me devour this in one sitting. Just the quick, fun, real, emotional read I needed... everything!

One of my main issues though is that I wanted a cameo from Wren or Stone, I wanted to revisit them for a moment. But there was no mention of them at all, so it almost felt like this wasn't even the same universe as the previous book, just a random book that had the same university. I would have believed it if I had been told this was a complete standalone. (Though...Evan is mentioned in passing)

On the bright side, I’ve seen too many authors stretch this kind of book into multiple books (S. Massery herself being one of them) and I think I prefer something like this. The fast-paced story concludes at the end with a nice Epilogue wrap-up.

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ University Romance
▶ Sports Romance (Hockey and Football)
▶ She Falls First - He Falls Harder
▶ Tending to Injuries
▶ Fake Dating
▶ Poor Girl, Rich Boy
▶ Black Cat X Golden Retriever (Reverse Grumpy Sunshine)

and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Nicknames
▷ Undressing Help
▷ Hand Necklaces
▷ Mine
▷ Spicy/Steamy Water Scene
▷ Share a Bath
▷ Beg Me
▷ Knife to the Throat
▷ "Hold on to the..."

All in all, while the twist at the end wasn’t hard to see coming, and the ending felt slightly rushed and I wanted a bit more scenes of them IN the REAL relationship once they went "all in" I still really enjoyed this!

So if you like a grumpy black cat with claws who falls for a sexy golden retriever, and want banter and spice, I definitely recommend picking this up!

Thank you to ValentinePR, S. Massey and S.J. Sylvis for the gifted copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own 

3.5 Zelda Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️.5/5

This was a nice little second chance delight and while it's not perfect... I still enjoyed it.

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Cora Newport is a masked bartender who’s pretty famous on social media. One day she is competing in a cocktail competition when she runs into the owner of an alcohol company who wants her help developing a new line of mocktails that his company is about to launch. The only problem is that this owner also happens to be her high school ex-boyfriend Aiden Callihan, who broke her heart years ago without giving her any explanation AND HE DOES NOT EVEN RECOGNISE HER IN HER MASK! (The Audacity). Aiden's basically the last person on earth she wants to work with, but his company’s offer is too good to refuse, so she agrees to partner up… and soon, their old high school feelings start resurfacing. The two need to navigate their past, figure out what went wrong, and see if there’s a future for them.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
I enjoyed this one a bit more than Perfect Mismatch, because I liked Aiden way more than Vincent. He wasn't as rude or dickish. He genuinely cares about his friends, company, and work, and he cares about Cora too. Since the series is called “Manhattan Boss Holes,” I expected him to be more of a jerk, but he wasn’t. Like Aiden's biggest red flag was that he’s scared of his temper and how others might see that.

Cora was pretty feisty and spunky. She knows what she wants, and she has the kind of personality that draws everyone in, making them want to know her, which makes sense for a social media personality. I love that she challenged Aiden and their chemistry was believable!

There are definitely similarities between this and Perfect Mismatch and its funny as they are commented on in the book as going through the same flow... which was awesome but also a little confusing in direction as I felt I had already seen this plot and story before.

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨::
▶ Billionaire Romance
▶ Second Chance Romance
▶ Workplace Romance
▶ Age Gap (2 Years)
▶ Fake Dating
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ Loves their smile/laugh
▶ Rolled Sleeves/Forearms
▶ Third Act Breakup

Basically, this book shows that sometimes, you have to shake and stir a relationship before it fully comes together, and maybe the second time is the charm. If you didn’t get it right the first time, who’s to say you can’t perfect it on the second try?

Thank you to Netgalley, Relay Publishing and Leslie North for the gifted copy.
All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

3 Nerf Gun Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️/5

I mean it was cute and fluffy but that's all it was, cute and fluffy, nothing else.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
Natalie Archer is the girl who is always “the fun one.” She’s the person you go to for a good time, and her family doesn’t really take her seriously because they’re all doctors, lawyers, or accountants (something fancy like that) and she isn’t. Because of this, her mom doesn't really think she has succeeded in life. At the start of the book she’s in a long-term relationship with her boyfriend, and one day she surprises him at a coffee shop to discover he’s been having an emotional affair with a colleague. She breaks it off with him and moves out. Now Natalie finds herself homeless and single, but she has just gotten a job as their entertainment manager at the local resort.

Things get a little crazy because, similar to an adult version of The Inheritance Games, the family who owns the Hot Springs Eternal Resort, has a crazy deceased grandfather who in his will stated that "in order to claim your inheritance, you need to complete X and Y". It’s grumpy Preston Hott's turn to receive his "envelope" and he learns his challenge is to create a highly rated entertainment program at the resort. This could not come at a more inopportune time since he is just about to land the largest merger of his carrier which will guarantee his promotion.

On Natalies first day, Preston FIRES HER but is overruled by his sister (who actually manages the resort) and says the two will need to work together as Natalie has the experience Preston needs to succeed. So now the two have no choice BUT to work together and it makes you wonder if Natalie can add a little fun to Preston's life and if he will be able to overcome their differences and remove that stick-up-his-ass attitude.

Preston is a bit of a dick, he is super prideful and has this need to prove himself or more prove to his grandfather that he will succeed at life in NY when his grandfather always told him he would amount to nothing. He’s determined to make it big in New York, and now that he’s been sent back to his hometown, he’s questioning who he really is.

The more time he spends with Natalie, the more he realises that everything he’s been working toward might not align with what he truly wants. However, his stubborn nature makes it difficult to admit his grandfather could be right about a few things, and he struggles to accept that a bit of love, fun, and letting loose now and then might not be so bad after all.

I feel like this book fits that “perfect for a movie” vibe, where they fall for each other because they "spend so much time together", but you don’t see enough of that development, you see this quick montage of them hanging out, and in the book are just told, "they have hung out and spent time together". I wanted a bit more substance in watching them grow close.

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Workplace Romance
▶ Boss's Brother
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ GrumpyXSunshine

and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Brings Her Drinks/Food
▷ Suit Daddy
▷ Loves their Smile/Laugh
▷ Rolled Sleeves/Forearms
▷ Spicy/Steamy Water Scene
▷ Cages her with his Arms
▷ Dirty Talk
▷ Sex in a public place

Overall this was a typical "Hallmark Movie" vibe book and if you are looking for that light and fluffy just relaxing read this is perfect for you!

Thank you to Netgalley, Jelsba Media Group and Serena Bell for the gifted copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own 

5 Pommes Frites Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level:🌶️.5/5

Critically, this book is not perfect. The romance is messy and rushed, sometimes leaving you wanting more. The characters have flaws and can be irritating, especially when they struggle or fail to communicate with each other, but even though it is not perfect, it was perfect for me.

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Clementine works for a small publishing company and has recently moved into her new inherited apartment, which previously belonged to her aunt. Clementine had an extremely close relationship with her aunt, travelling the world and feeling free to be her true self, so the loss is extra hard on her. The twist is that her aunt’s apartment is magic and can sometimes send the occupant seven years into the past by Clementine always thought that was just a story her aunt told her... until one day the Apartment sends her back and she meets a mysterious man standing in her kitchen. A man that no matter how perfect he seems, she cannot fall in love with... because he lives Seven Years in the past.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
As I have said, this book is messy. It is raw, emotional, poetic, and at times ugly in the honest ways it portrays grief... the loss of Clementine's aunt has left her with profound grief she has not properly dealt with. So a large part of the book is the emotional journey of her working through that grief and rediscovering who she is, including the possibility of new love.

This is a VERY character-focused story that, at times, feels purple in its prose and poetic in its emotion. I loved (and at times hated because of how true it was) how it explored avoiding grief, how grief can creep up and hold you tight until you have to choose to let go and, ironically, not live in the past. A major theme is Clementine learning that by literally going back in time, spending moments with Ewan, and realising that clinging to an idealised version of her life is part of her stagnation. She needs to move forward, confront her own truths, and stop burying herself in what she misses about her aunt.

The relationship with Ewan did leave me wanting a little more but besides this Ewan is sweet and romantic. I did have some struggle reconciling who he was in the past with who he becomes in the present. I wanted more insight into the "present" part of their romance, since their feelings develop quickly and most of their connection is shown in the past, yet Ewan’s goals and aspirations have changed over the seven years, and I hoped for more exploration of how Clementine and Ewan navigate that gap now that they have found each other again.

I have always said though that if a book manages to make me cry, it gets five stars. This one made me cry. I bawled my eyes out! It was sad and heartbreaking, yet ridiculously romantic and sweet. It was the thing I didn't know I needed and Brittany Pressley did such an amazing job of narrating the story and conveying all the emotion I felt!

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Roommates to Lovers
▶ Strangers to Lovers
▶ Slow Burn
▶ Written in the Stars
▶ Time Travel
▶ He makes her food
▶ Secret Pining
▶ Rolled Sleeves/Forearms
▶ Good Girl
▶ "More"

Overall this was the perfect book for me to finish 2024 with. 

5 Transcendence Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️.5/5

There are some books that need to grow on you...books that take a little longer, that extended moment in time before you connect, and you know the story is amazing. Wyatt is NOT one of those books. I knew from the very first page that I was going to love this.

This was my first Jessica Peterson book, and since I haven’t really read many Cowboy Romances, I wasn’t sure what to expect. That, on top of it being Friends to Lovers (which is not always my favourite trope)... I was cautiously optimistic... and in the end, a metaphorical lasso must have caught around my heart, and it was not letting go. I love this; it spoke to my soul and just gave me this utter emotional giddy bliss while reading.

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
When Wyatt was 18, he lost his parents in a tragic accident. One person was there for him when he needed them: his best friend Sally. She was always there for the good, the bad, and the ugly. But something changed the day before the funeral, and Wyatt finally saw Sally as a little more than a friend, while unbeknownst to him, Sally grew even more in love with him than before. Now, 12 years later, Sally is a successful veterinary surgeon and is back in Texas for a few months before starting her dream job in New York. But before she leaves, she wants a little no-strings-attached fun with a cowboy. Given Wyatt is the king of No-Strings-Attached, Sally asks him to pretend to date her to make other men jealous. Of course, when you’re pretending to mask very real feelings, those lines become blurry, and both need to decide whether they are willing to test their friendship and turn it into something more.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
There must be something in the water of Lucky River Ranch, because DAMN, your girl is OBSESSED! The pining, the longing, the feelings of unrequited love, and the mesmerising emotion in the words... it was almost poetic with the rawness.

Now, as I mentioned, I do have frustrations with “Friends to Lovers,” especially when it is basically them already being in love with each other and just too afraid to tell each other. Like, be adults and JUST TELL EACH OTHER. But that just shows HOW GOOD THIS IS! Despite my not liking this type of Friends to Lovers, I was still completely and utterly enraptured by the words, these characters, and the romance, which was just so CUTE.

Wyatt is cocky and arrogant and sex on legs, but he uses this to hide that he is still grieving and feels completely lost and broken, scared to open his heart to love. He is also so charming in that “Southern Gentleman” way and is a really good cowboy. Sally is a bowl of sunshine and deeply cares for her friends, family, and those around her. She is smart, intelligent, and has the biggest heart of gold. She lights up every room she’s in, and her willingness to help everyone makes her so kind and sweet.

Their relationship was PERFECTION. Sally and Wyatt complement each other so well that their sexual chemistry legitimately oozes off the page. They are so comfortable with each other and so relaxed being themselves that you cannot help but root for them! What I also loved is that even though these two have been friends forever and have a long history, it never felt like the relationship change from friends to lovers was too rushed or too slow. It was just so gooooooood!

My god, the banter and the dirty talk will make you wish YOU WERE SALLY TO DADDY WYATT! I swear, my toes curled, all my tingle places tingled, and I think at one point my eyes rolled to the back of my head with the SWOON (AND JEALOUSY THAT I WASN’T SALLY).

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Childhood Best Friends to Lovers
▶ Cowboy Romance
▶ Fake Dating
▶ He Falls First
▶ Secret Pining
▶ Lessons in Seduction
▶ Bad Boy X Good Girl
▶ Jealous MMC
▶ Who Did This To You?
▶ Small Town Romance

and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Nicknames
▷ Daddy
▷ Rolled Sleeves/Forearms
▷ "Look At Me"
▷ "You Taste Like..."
▷ Sexy Lasso Play (Rope Play)
▷ "It Wont Fit"

Overall all I wanna do is save a horse and ride this cowboy and if you love yourself ANY of these tropes, you're gonna wanna ride him too! BASICALLY JUST READ THIS!

Thank you to ValentinePR and Jessica Peterson for the gifted copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own 

4 Vibrator Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level:🌶️🌶️/5

THIS BOOK is the PERFECT type of book if you are looking for that "Intro to Dark Bully Romance," but you are also not too ready to question your morals too much. Then this is FOR YOU!!!

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Wren Davis grew up in an "on again, off again" relationship with the foster system as her dad did various stints in prison for being a notorious drug dealer. She found some stability and comfort with Evan and his family, and Evan became like a real brother to her. One day, to avoid destroying her life, she inadvertently ruins Stone Foster's possible prospects of joining the NHL. (Stone is Evan's best friend, and YES, I did roll my eyes at his surname being Foster and the fact that she is a foster child... and how I wish they had changed it to something else) Flash forward a couple of years, and Wren desperately needs a place to crash after breaking up with her boyfriend, so she moves into the "Hockey House" Evan shares with a few players. HOWEVER, Stone has just transferred to Shadow Valley University, and Evan just gave away his room to the woman he hates most in the world... SO LET THE WAR BEGIN!

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
And I think this shows what a fantastic duo S. Massery and S.J. Sylvis make together because this book felt whole and so well-founded! There is an author's note at the beginning that it is not as "dark" as some of the books that S. Massery has written, and that is pretty true. This was a little lighter, but I think I liked that because it seemed a lot more real. Often, books (even contemporary ones) are more fantasy, but if someone told me this story happened, I would believe it... It just seems realistic. (I mean, looking past the fact that Wren's past is terrible.) It just had the elements that made you want to root for her and Stone.

Wren doesn't want to be a burden to anybody. She has been dealt a shit hand in life, and so many people have tried to take advantage of her, especially her father. He wins the awful "Dad of the Year" award for the things he forced her to do and what he wants her to do now. She finds it very difficult to stand up for herself, and needing to gives her anxiety... but the one person she can stand up to is Stone (even when he calls her Sticks).

Stone is not perfect, and he takes the words possessive and obsessive to the next level, and there is no way he's letting Wren go. He is a dick to her in the beginning, and she shows her teeth right back at him, but very soon she’s the only thing he can think about, and he can’t get her out of his head. That obsession festers in his mind until it blossoms into a cute and sweet relationship. It was so fun to see how the tension and hate between them built into the inevitable. These two are meant to be together, they are there for each other, and they are what each other needs to be the best version of themselves.

The writing is captivating and fast-paced, and you can devour the story very quickly. It's going to give you the tension that comes from the push and pull you'd see in a typical bully romance, but it’s also going to give you that sweet, gooey, gushy relief of when they come together. It is going to be explosive and spicy!

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ University Romance
▶ Foster Brother's Best Friend and Teammate
▶ One Bed/Roommates
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Bully Romance
▶ Hockey Romance
▶ Touch Her and Die
▶ Stalking
▶ Obsessive, Possessive and Jealous Alphamale

and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Nicknames
▷ Carries her over his Shoulder
▷ Backwards Cap
▷ Chin Lifts
▷ Car Sex
▷ Cages her with his Arms
▷ Good Girl
▷ Hockey Jersey Heat (and she doesn't wear his Jersey)
▷ Hand Necklaces
▷ Mine

Overall, I love this duo and I cannot wait to see what they do in Heart of Thorns.