spicycronereads's reviews
215 reviews

Read this as a buddy read. The spice was plentiful and it had  character archetypes that I appreciate. However, the writing was painful to read. Every character is smirking all of the time. Except when their eyes are fluttering. It was extremely repetitive and needs a good, close edit for continuity. 

Such a fun follow up to Virgin Sacrifice! 

We learn more of Luz’s secrets but the mystery continues to deepen. We get to know more of the MMCs who are Luz’s love interests, including the unhinged (but also endearing?) Everest. And can I just say? I called it with regards to Lucian. 😊 Like book 1, this one ends on one heck of a cliffhanger.

There is slightly more spice in this one though the slow burn with delicious tension continues. 🌶️🌶️

The book maintains the diverse representation from book 1 with a multiracial Latina FMC and queer representation, including some new ace representation. The first book addresses issues germane to representation and justice and this one does the same - this time with regard to sexual assault and survivors. 

All in all, it was a fun read that I blew through pretty quickly. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 🌶️🌶️

It was lovely to return to Pine Bluff for Dane and Maisie’s story! 🌲💕🌲💕 You don’t have to have read the prior two novels to read this one, but the experience is definitely enriched if you do.

We have met both characters before, in both Stormbound and Feverburn. Dane is the wise-cracking bad boy mechanic that has a reputation for providing *hospitality* for the women visitors to Pine Bluff, Maine. Maisie is the sarcastic, silly, and fiercely loyal BFF of Kaylee, the protagonist of Book 1. And Dane is best friends with Harley, the MMC of book 1. He owns a body shop. She owns an adult boutique.

When Maisie visits Pine Bluff for Kaylee and Harley’s rehearsal dinner, there are instant sparks, but not all the good kind. 

These characters are so much fun. And they have so much depth and heart. They both have past traumas that are causing roadblocks. The way that the author writes their process of dealing with those and learning to find each other is so beautiful. Not to mention funny and spicy too! 💕

There are some great moments with secondary characters and the womxn’s friendships in Maggie Maren‘s work are always top-notch.

As previously mentioned, the spice is excellent. The author places a lot of emphasis on communication and consent in all of her books. That is still here and there are some other really progressive things that happen around the spice that just make me so happy to read. We don’t have to set ourselves back 50 years in order to enjoy a spicy romance.  I am giving this one five peppers because there is one scene that I think about constantly.  And I learned something new! 😂 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

In terms of diversity, some of the secondary characters are women of color and Maisie herself is multi racial with a Latinx father and white mother. There are also queer characters in the Pinebluff universe though they remain among the secondary characters. In thinking about diversity, I think it’s also important to acknowledge just how progressive and justice oriented. Maggie’s works are. While these aren’t necessarily factors in diverse representation, I think it’s still important that she casts a critical eye on patriarchy and oppressive social institutions and creates characters who are empowered to challenge those institutions. Her work is a joy to read and I never feel like a bad human for enjoying it. 😂

Overall, I really loved the story. Even though book 2, remains at the top spot in my heart, these two characters charmed me they made me cry, they made me laugh, and they made me swoon. OK, and they also made me squirm in my seat a little. 🥵

I gave this book 5 stars and five chili peppers. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Library loan expired. 

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Paised for now…

Another beautiful book by Kennedy Ryan. The second in the Skyland series, this one focuses on homemaker extraordinaire, Soledad. In the first book we definitely see the way that Edward, Soledad’s husband, neglects her and seems uninvolved in the lives of their three daughters.

This book starts with a closer look at their relationship, while we also meet Judah, divorced father of two ND boys. Judah has a mature and loving coparenting relationship with his ex-wife and it is a joy to see them remain friends and prioritize the well-being of their kids.

I won’t spoil anything here except to say I felt really seen and validated in Soledad’s journey to loving herself. I recognize that as a white woman I haven’t had to face the racism, structural barriers, and microagressions that Soledad has. Nor experienced the cruelty and duplicity she has. But her experience of feeling invisible and starved for touch…well, let’s just say those resonated. 

One of the most powerful quotes I have read lately: “I’ve come to realize that a woman who wants more and realizes she deserves it is a dangerous thing.” 

This book has also inspired  me to return to a book that was really pivotal to my thinking twenty years ago - bell hooks’ All About Love. I can’t wait to see how it echoes differently across my life now. 

And I think I may get a tattoo of one of the chapter epilogues: “I am out with lanterns looking for myself” - Emily Dickinson 💕

Like Before I Let Go, this is a slow burn. But once the spice hits, it is joyful. 🌶️🌶️

And it is a gorgeously diverse book - racial diversity, sexual diversity, neurodiversity. 

Overall, a beautiful read. I am so glad that I picked up a copy at SteamyLitCon and got it signed by Kennedy Ryan. Who was so nice and blew me away when she told me that it is actually her on social media. She’s always out liking posts and commenting! 👑

Six out of five stars! I *CANNOT WAIT* for Hendrix’s book. 

Wow this was 🔥🔥🔥. A former Dom who is now a priest and a former stripper who enters his confessional. I am sure you can imagine where this is going…

Obviously the taboo romance elements and spice are 👩🏻‍🍳💋. I give it 4 1/2 🌶️. Though I almost DNF’d because the self recrimination at the beginning was…a lot.

But that is not the most interesting thing about this book. 

I was baptized Catholic though never practiced, and later baptized again in a non-denominational Christian church. I do not currently identify as Christian and though I recognize certain spiritual elements to my life, they are more tied to nature and community. 

And we all know there are plenty of bad things about the Catholic Church, many of which figure into the plot of this novel. But I have to say that the way that the author writes about Catholicism, reconciliation, ritual, and the presence of capital G God, is really quite beautiful. 

Luz and Evan 😍 Their chemistry and banter were so much fun! Fake marriage - one of my favorite tropes. And there is more than one my woman / my wife moment. 🫠

Luz is a firecracker and I want to hang out with her and the other Leonas. Evan is so swoony in the way he supports her but also lets her shine. He was such a goner from the moment they met ☺️ 

It is an open door romance though the spicy scenes are not super detailed. And there are many swoony moments. 🌶️🌶️🌶️

I love the world established by this book and can’t wait to read about the other Leonas finding love. Herrera wove in a love letter to Latine art, music, and fashion in the book. 

And there are multiple kinds of diverse representation- racial and sexual and body type. 

Overall this was a fast and fun read and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 🌶️🌶️🌶️