teaand_tomes's reviews
497 reviews

Thank you to R.A. Salvatore and Saga Press #SagaSaysCrew for the free book!

Pinquickle’s Folly is a swashbuckling high-seas adventure set in Salvatore’s signature world of Corona, introducing a new region filled with pirates, rebels, and the looming threat of the Xoconai empire. The story brings together a misfit crew—once enemies, now allies—banding together in a fight for freedom.

I’ll admit, the beginning was a bit of a struggle. Keeping track of the characters took some time, and the history and conflict with the Xoconai felt a little underdeveloped at first. But once the players fell into place, the story picked up fast. It’s an action-packed, fun, and sometimes delightfully silly adventure. The pacing felt a bit rushed in places, but overall, it was engaging enough that I flew through the bulk of the book much faster than those initial chapters.

The audiobook narration was enjoyable, with distinct character voices that didn’t rely on exaggerated falsettos for female characters—a detail I really appreciated.

While not perfect, Pinquickle’s Folly is an entertaining pirate fantasy that’s worth sticking with if you enjoy high-seas adventure and camaraderie among unlikely allies. 

Thank you to Heather Fawcett and PRH Audio for the free audiobook!

What a joy to be back in Emily Wilde’s world! I’ve absolutely loved following Emily’s pragmatic, scholarly approach to the Folk, especially when contrasted with Wendell’s charming impracticality. They are such a delightful example of opposites attract, and this book gave us such a fascinating deep dive into Wendell’s past, his home, and his complicated family.

This installment definitely felt tenser than the previous books—there were moments that had me genuinely worried about how things would turn out. But despite the stakes, Heather Fawcett maintains the cozy, lighthearted feel that makes this series so special. I truly hope this isn’t the last we see of Emily and Wendell, but if it is, this was a beautiful and satisfying conclusion.

Ell Potter’s narration was wonderful. She captured Emily’s analytical personality perfectly and even brought an aloof sweetness to Wendell that I really enjoyed. I did expect more from Michael Dodds’s narration, but since he only voiced Wendell’s letters, I didn’t feel he added much to the story. Honestly, I would have been entirely satisfied with just Ell Potter.

Overall, this was another enchanting, beautifully written book in the Emily Wilde series, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves cozy fantasy, faerie lore, and academic rivals-to-lovers romances!

Thank you to Constance Fay, Bramble Romance, and NetGalley for the free book!

Supersoldiers in sci-fi romance? Always a win! Chaos completely delivered on action, humor, and heart. Caro was such an endearing protagonist—her intelligence was her greatest strength, and I loved how that played into her character. Leviathan was a fascinating mystery to unravel, and I especially enjoyed that he wasn’t the typical supersoldier archetype. It made him feel so unique and compelling!

The prison planet of Shikigami was absolutely wild in the best way. The setting added a fun, chaotic energy to the story that made everything feel fresh and unpredictable. The humor, tension, and high stakes were perfectly balanced, keeping me hooked from start to finish.

I think I know who the next book will be about, and if I’m right, I am so ready for it! This series just keeps getting better, and I can’t wait for more. If you love sci-fi romance with strong heroines, mysterious supersoldiers, and high-stakes action, this is one to add to your TBR! 

Wow, what a ride! Quicksilver hit all the right notes in the romantasy genre, blending some of my favorite tropes: bonded fated mates,

vampires

, Death as an entity, and a Fae warrior prince wrapped up in a centuries-old conflict. Saeris Fane is a fantastic main character—she’s a smith and alchemist, which adds a unique twist to the usual FMC. I loved her complexity, and her journey through this intense, magical world kept me hooked from start to finish.

Kingfisher was everything. He’s gruff, mysterious, and has that perfect asshole charm. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic was done beautifully—their banter at the beginning made their eventual moments together even sweeter.

The world-building was rich, deep, and immersive. I can’t wait to dive back into this world with the next book.

Stella Bloom and Anthony Palmini did an incredible job bringing these characters and this world to life with their dual narration. I especially loved how they each consistently voiced the same characters throughout—such an immersive experience. I’m already counting down the days until the next one!

Highly recommend this to fans of romantasy, enemies-to-lovers, and epic fantasy worlds!

I always wonder if I’ll love secondary characters from a previous book as much as the main characters, and I’m so happy to say that Cyn Khaw absolutely stole the show! Her past was dark and complicated, but what made her truly badass wasn’t just her skills as a bounty hunter—it was the way she fought through everything life threw at her. I loved that she was a bit of a hot mess, and it made her feel so real.

Her slow-burn romance with Micah was the perfect contrast to Temper and Arcadio’s fire-and-ice dynamic in the first book. Cyn and Micah were pure sugar, and I adored them together! Their relationship felt organic and heartwarming, and I was completely invested in their journey.

The mix of action, humor, and romance made Fiasco such a fun ride, and I loved how the story balanced high-stakes adventure with deeply personal character moments. I’m so excited for more from Constance Fay, especially if it means spending more time in this world! Highly recommend for sci-fi romance fans who love badass heroines, found family vibes, and slow-burn relationships with lots of heart. 

Thank you to Ibi Zoboi and BookSparks for the free book!

(S)Kin is a beautifully crafted, lyrical novel in verse that blends Caribbean folklore with themes of identity, colonization, beauty, and belonging. I don’t often read books in verse, but Ibi Zoboi’s decision to write in this style gave the story a rhythmic, almost hypnotic quality that made every word feel intentional and weighty.

Marisol and Genevieve’s journeys were equally compelling—Marisol struggling with the inherited magic of her soucouyant lineage and the pull of her mother’s traditions, and Genevieve searching for answers tied to her estranged mother and her own mysterious hunger. The themes of hair, skin, and beauty were explored with such depth, making this not just a fantasy novel but a powerful reflection on identity and heritage.

I also loved learning more about Caribbean folklore through this story. Zoboi masterfully weaves magic with real-world struggles, creating a narrative that is both haunting and deeply resonant. Highly recommended for readers who love poetic storytelling and rich cultural mythology! 

What a refreshing read! There needs to be more sci-fi romance like this—Calamity delivers the perfect blend of steamy romance, action-packed adventure, and a richly built interstellar world. It’s Firefly-esque with a sharp, hilarious heroine and a swoon-worthy hero, and I was hooked from the start!

Arcadio Escajeda was divine—seriously, I fell for him immediately. Temperance Reed, on the other hand, is an absolute hot mess in the best way possible. Her personality shines through with sharp wit, humor, and just the right amount of chaos. Their chemistry crackles on the page, making every interaction between them a delight.

Beyond the romance, the story packs in high-stakes action, tension, and plenty of intrigue. From secret cultists to volcanic eruptions to deadly galactic fighters, there’s never a dull moment. This was everything I’ve been wanting in a sci-fi romance, and I cannot wait to continue the series and read more from Constance Fay! Highly recommend for fans of spacefaring adventures and sizzling romance. 

Thank you to Ali Hazelwood, Berkley Publishing, and PRH Audio for the free audiobook!

I have such a weakness for Olympic athlete stories, and Deep End completely delivered! Ali Hazelwood once again brings her signature mix of intelligence, romance, and deeply realistic conflicts to the page. Scarlett and Lukas had such a compelling dynamic—her determination to focus on med school, his strict discipline as a world-class swimmer, and the undeniable chemistry between them made for such a captivating read.

I really enjoyed the duet narration style, with Thérèse Plummer voicing all the feminine characters and Ben Holtzmuller handling the masculine ones—it made the audiobook feel so immersive. The audio quality difference between the two narrators was a little noticeable at first, but it quickly became a non-issue. Their voices complemented each other beautifully, and I especially loved Ben Holtzmuller’s Swedish accent!

This book is packed with emotion, intensity, and steamy romance, and I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend for fans of sports romance, college settings, and Ali Hazelwood’s signature storytelling! 

Thank you Angela Montoya, Joy Revolution Books, and PRH Audio for the free audiobook!

I absolutely loved this story! The setting in the California territory was so immersive, and the blend of history, fantasy, and romance made for an incredible read.

Lalo’s struggle with his newfound nature as a sediento was so well done—his refusal to give in to his urges and his devotion to his sister made him such a compelling character. Carolina was fierce, determined, and so easy to root for. Their relationship was beautifully developed, full of tension and sweetness in equal measure.

Diana Bustelo and Gary Tiedemann brought this story to life with their fantastic narration. Their performances made Carolina and Lalo’s dynamic even more engaging, and I’d happily listen to anything else they narrate.

If you love vampire lore with a fresh, romantic twist and a duo that challenges fate together, this is definitely a must-read! 

Returning to Basgiath War College felt like coming home—I forgot how much I loved being in this world! Onyx Storm is packed with action, lore, and twists that kept me on the edge of my seat and flying through the pages.

That said, there were a couple of things that didn’t quite work for me. The beginning felt a little confusing with so many minor characters reappearing—I wish there had been quick reminders of who they were. And while I love Violet and Xaden, their passionate scenes started to feel repetitive, as did the constant “I’ll burn the world for them” sentiments. We get that they’d do anything for each other, but it was overstated this time around.

Still, the story’s intensity and high stakes made this an exciting read. I’m incredibly intrigued to see where the next book takes us! Fans of the series will definitely want to pick this one up.