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thebookishmonarch's reviews
475 reviews
The Hunt by Mila Crawford
Did not finish book. Stopped at 65%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 65%.
The story felt like it was missing a beginning (it was almost as if it started in the middle) despite this being the first book in this series. There was no background as to how the men had met and established their dynamic together.
Dancing with Sin: A forbidden love story by Alexandria Lee
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.
Too slow for me even at 2.6x the speed
My Heartless Soul by Daisy Thorn
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Are you sitting? Because I am.
My Heartless Soul is the last book of The Demons of New York series. It can be read as a standalone (I did lol). I'll come back to read the previous books when I can. Thank you Daisy for letting me review your book!
Kira Clark is a famous chef in New York. She owns multiple restaurants. Her employees have dubbed her as Ursula or a witch because of her "I-Hate-Everyone" attitude. But she has childhood trauma that has left her needing to protect herself. As you learn more about her past, you cannot help but feel deeply for her. She truly deserved better. Kira faults herself for everything that happened.
At the polar opposite side of her is Vassar Levidis: her sous chef in New York, sculpted by the Greek Gods (lol), and single father. Although he is the "sunshine" to Kira's "grump," he has his own issues. He had to learn to raise his daughter on his own after his wife walked out on them and he supports his sister's college studies. Despite all that darkness, he will make you blush.
As I read, I saw a lot of growth between these characters, especially when they revealed their traumas to each other. Kira and Vassar helped each other heal, and in turn, helped his daughter Victoria heal from her traumas with her biological mother. It helped a lot that Kira and Victoria clicked pretty fast and having that connection to speak freely when alone.
๐ฎ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๐๐๐๐๐๐+๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฎ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ
โข angsty romance โข anti-hero fmc โข boss x employee โข bully romance โข celebrity chef fmc โข fake dating โข forced proximity โข grumpy x grumpy/sunshine โข hate to love โข mutual pining โข opposites attract โข OM drama โข singe dad โข k!nky stuff: booty play, "crawl to me," explosive in the sheets โข
My Heartless Soul is the last book of The Demons of New York series. It can be read as a standalone (I did lol). I'll come back to read the previous books when I can. Thank you Daisy for letting me review your book!
Kira Clark is a famous chef in New York. She owns multiple restaurants. Her employees have dubbed her as Ursula or a witch because of her "I-Hate-Everyone" attitude. But she has childhood trauma that has left her needing to protect herself. As you learn more about her past, you cannot help but feel deeply for her. She truly deserved better. Kira faults herself for everything that happened.
At the polar opposite side of her is Vassar Levidis: her sous chef in New York, sculpted by the Greek Gods (lol), and single father. Although he is the "sunshine" to Kira's "grump," he has his own issues. He had to learn to raise his daughter on his own after his wife walked out on them and he supports his sister's college studies. Despite all that darkness, he will make you blush.
As I read, I saw a lot of growth between these characters, especially when they revealed their traumas to each other. Kira and Vassar helped each other heal, and in turn, helped his daughter Victoria heal from her traumas with her biological mother. It helped a lot that Kira and Victoria clicked pretty fast and having that connection to speak freely when alone.
๐ฎ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๐๐๐๐๐๐+๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฎ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ
โข angsty romance โข anti-hero fmc โข boss x employee โข bully romance โข celebrity chef fmc โข fake dating โข forced proximity โข grumpy x grumpy/sunshine โข hate to love โข mutual pining โข opposites attract โข OM drama โข singe dad โข k!nky stuff: booty play, "crawl to me," explosive in the sheets โข
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
The Playboy by Marni Mann
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Macon becomes completely enamored by the tiny dancer he watches on a personal dancing stage at a club while out with his friends at a bachelor party. Brooklyn does a good job of not paying him any attention until she can no longer resist what he is presenting her. Thus their one-night-stand came to fruition at the party bus. No names and no phone numbers were given. One night of pure chemistry... well, one hour for Macon to prove to her could give her many O's.
But of course, one night is not enough. The following few days, Macon stalks that club so he can find her again... which he does. Off into a gorgeous Hawaiian sunset they went... or did they? Brooklyn has a secret. And so does Macon. Though their secrets didn't cause a major storm or infinite groveling they were significant to them. We also don't get a third-act breakup or any breakup at all so major points to Miss Marni!!
๐ฎ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๐๐๐๐๐๐+๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฎ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ
โข billionaire romance
โข forced proximity
โข mile high club
โข mutual pining
โข workplace romance
โข one night stand
โข opposites attract
โข strangers to lovers
But of course, one night is not enough. The following few days, Macon stalks that club so he can find her again... which he does. Off into a gorgeous Hawaiian sunset they went... or did they? Brooklyn has a secret. And so does Macon. Though their secrets didn't cause a major storm or infinite groveling they were significant to them. We also don't get a third-act breakup or any breakup at all so major points to Miss Marni!!
๐ฎ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๐๐๐๐๐๐+๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฎ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ๏ธ
โข billionaire romance
โข forced proximity
โข mile high club
โข mutual pining
โข workplace romance
โข one night stand
โข opposites attract
โข strangers to lovers
Soulless by Jade West
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This trilogy is keeping me on the edge of my seat. Lucian and Elaine's story is evolving. They're in love and in their cocoon. I'm sure everything will implode in book 3 but I am so happy that they're happy together. Their story may be dark and twisty but it's simple and sweet, all at the same time.
But even then, there were things that were missing here: the backstory with her uncle and the other men; why her mother doesn't believe in her, etc. I am hoping that it will be in book 3 but it seems like a lot to fit into the last book, including the backlash of the relationship between the two families.
But even then, there were things that were missing here: the backstory with her uncle and the other men; why her mother doesn't believe in her, etc. I am hoping that it will be in book 3 but it seems like a lot to fit into the last book, including the backlash of the relationship between the two families.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
Contempt by A. Zavarelli
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I wholeheartedly recommend going into this book blind. Literally, all I read was the blurb, and got hooked. What happens in this book is nothing that you'll expect. There are so many twists and turns that you won't know what to believe. You really have to pay attention to the smallest of details. There's so much angst, longing, and even betrayal. Lyric, Bianca, and Madden's story is complicated, heart-wrenching, and so beautiful at the same time. So bring in your psychology-thinking hat because this one will make you put your brain to work. Despite me saying three names, this is a MF romance. You will understand why once you read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Captive Rival by Stella Gray
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
...and so the plot thickens. I was not expecting that cliffhanger twist. I'm so excited to see it through and what the Bellanti Brothers think about this new information.
Candi and Armani are now further developing their relationship now that they're married. Armani does try to open up to her, and she does too. But the tension between them -- and his family -- is palpable as Candi was placed in their lives as a spy for the Bruno family, their rivals. When another spy is found, they begin to lift that restrictive approach to her.
But nothing is gonna stay happy.
Now, Candi's friend is arranged to marry another one of their rivals (they have connections to the Bruno family). This has set off Candi. She spends a lot of time in turmoil and Armani begins to be suspicious of her. Slowly, Candi begins to open up to him and his brother's wives as they begin to not be so apprehensive of her. Candi is determined to make them see that she is on their side, even if she doesn't know what's right or wrong anymore.
Armani does his best to make her feel safe -- but not always with the best intentions. As he grows to know more about her and she confides in him, he begins to change the way he treats her in and out of the comforts of their privacy.
โโขโซโโโโโชโขโฆ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ โฆโขโซโโโโโชโขโ
โข billionaire romance
โข boy + girl obsessed
โข light bully romance
โข captive romance
โข consent
โข dark and broody mmc
โข dark romance
โข dubcon
โข enemies with benefits
โข forced marriage
โข forced proximity
โข hate to love
โข mafia romance
โข morally grey
โข former office/workplace romance
Candi and Armani are now further developing their relationship now that they're married. Armani does try to open up to her, and she does too. But the tension between them -- and his family -- is palpable as Candi was placed in their lives as a spy for the Bruno family, their rivals. When another spy is found, they begin to lift that restrictive approach to her.
But nothing is gonna stay happy.
Now, Candi's friend is arranged to marry another one of their rivals (they have connections to the Bruno family). This has set off Candi. She spends a lot of time in turmoil and Armani begins to be suspicious of her. Slowly, Candi begins to open up to him and his brother's wives as they begin to not be so apprehensive of her. Candi is determined to make them see that she is on their side, even if she doesn't know what's right or wrong anymore.
Armani does his best to make her feel safe -- but not always with the best intentions. As he grows to know more about her and she confides in him, he begins to change the way he treats her in and out of the comforts of their privacy.
โโขโซโโโโโชโขโฆ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ โฆโขโซโโโโโชโขโ
โข billionaire romance
โข boy + girl obsessed
โข light bully romance
โข captive romance
โข consent
โข dark and broody mmc
โข dark romance
โข dubcon
โข enemies with benefits
โข forced marriage
โข forced proximity
โข hate to love
โข mafia romance
โข morally grey
โข former office/workplace romance
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Superbia by Colette Rhodes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I๐ Am๐So๐ In๐Love๐With๐This๐Universe!๐ I swear it's so good. Luxuria (Ophelia and Allerick) was one of my top favorite reads last year. It's safe to say Superbia is one of my favorites this year.
This time we get Astrid - Ophelia's sister - and Soren - Allerick's Captain of the Guard. Astrid and Soren were the opposite of what Ophelia and Allerick were. These are both grumps.
Astrid's reputation of a high-valued Shade hunter has followed her in the Shade realm and everyone despises her. Soren, included. Of course, that hasn't stopped her from wanting to know what the buzz is about when it comes to s e x with the Shades.
Soren takes his job seriously to protect the realm and his King. He is not impressed when Allerick tells him to train Astrid as part of the Guard. In fact, Soren is a pressed grump who wants to avoid her at all costs. BUT all Shades have a heightened scene of smell and Soren knows want Astrid wants.
*cue in the one night stand trope and "just the tip"*
โโขโซโโโโโชโขโฆ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ โฆโขโซโโโโโชโขโ
โข assassin romance
โข battery friends, iykyk
โข boy obsessed
โข light breeding kink (no preg)
โข consent king
โข enemies to lovers/hate to love
โข forced proximity
โข monster/PNR romance
โข morally grey
โข one night stand
This time we get Astrid - Ophelia's sister - and Soren - Allerick's Captain of the Guard. Astrid and Soren were the opposite of what Ophelia and Allerick were. These are both grumps.
Astrid's reputation of a high-valued Shade hunter has followed her in the Shade realm and everyone despises her. Soren, included. Of course, that hasn't stopped her from wanting to know what the buzz is about when it comes to s e x with the Shades.
Soren takes his job seriously to protect the realm and his King. He is not impressed when Allerick tells him to train Astrid as part of the Guard. In fact, Soren is a pressed grump who wants to avoid her at all costs. BUT all Shades have a heightened scene of smell and Soren knows want Astrid wants.
*cue in the one night stand trope and "just the tip"*
โโขโซโโโโโชโขโฆ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ โฆโขโซโโโโโชโขโ
โข assassin romance
โข battery friends, iykyk
โข boy obsessed
โข light breeding kink (no preg)
โข consent king
โข enemies to lovers/hate to love
โข forced proximity
โข monster/PNR romance
โข morally grey
โข one night stand
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Tortured Crown by Eleanor Aldrick
4.0
First of all, a standing ovation to Eleanor Aldrick for writing amazing stories. The Crown brothers are chef's kiss. The daddy kink in each book is immaculate. No one can tell me otherwise.
Hayley's story built up her character. She was dependent on her parents and learned to be independent under unfortunate circumstances. Her growth in this book was pretty great.
Matthew is the last Crown brother to be taken off the market. I'm sure all the ladies are weeping. He can be a grump but will wholeheartedly worship at Hayley's feet. His instinct to protect Hayley was perfect.
I fell in love with their story -- I didn't want to end, but here we are. I can't wait to see what else Eleanor has up her sleeve for us.
โโขโซโโโโโชโขโฆ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ โฆโขโซโโโโโชโขโ
โข age gap
โข billionaire romance
โข boy obsessed
โข โจthe holy trinity of smvt: consent, degradation, and praiseโจ
โข daddy kink
โข broody mmc
โข forced proximity
โข office/workplace romance
โข mafia/cartel ties
โข virgin heroine
Hayley's story built up her character. She was dependent on her parents and learned to be independent under unfortunate circumstances. Her growth in this book was pretty great.
Matthew is the last Crown brother to be taken off the market. I'm sure all the ladies are weeping. He can be a grump but will wholeheartedly worship at Hayley's feet. His instinct to protect Hayley was perfect.
I fell in love with their story -- I didn't want to end, but here we are. I can't wait to see what else Eleanor has up her sleeve for us.
โโขโซโโโโโชโขโฆ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ โฆโขโซโโโโโชโขโ
โข age gap
โข billionaire romance
โข boy obsessed
โข โจthe holy trinity of smvt: consent, degradation, and praiseโจ
โข daddy kink
โข broody mmc
โข forced proximity
โข office/workplace romance
โข mafia/cartel ties
โข virgin heroine
Brutal Intentions by Lilith Vincent
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
"๐พ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐--๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐--๐๐, ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐๐
."
If you couldn't tell already (if you follow me), I love everything I read from Lilith. As a beta reader, I love seeing everyone's reactions come in as ARCs go out. They bring a smile to face.
I haven't shared much about this book with teasers posts as I did the Pageant Duet because I didn't want overshare it. I felt like it was best to go in blind for this. Laz is pretty snarky and your impression of him should be organic. Never once did I dislike him; the one I did dislike was Mia's mom, Guilia. Her sisters occasionally did give me weird vibes but did grow to like them, specially Rieta, who stuck by Mia's side.
Since I haven't read a book in a long time the birth control tampering, it was exciting to see it through and Mia's reactions about it. Though Laz was snarky it wasn't always directed to Mia. He's like Batman - dark and broody but secretly a softie.
"๐ฒ๐๐๐ ๐๐, ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐'๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐. ๐ญ๐๐๐๐๐๐."
โโขโซโโโโโชโขโฆ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐โฆโขโซโโโโโชโขโ
This book is still *chef's kiss*
Listening how depraved Laz is rather than reading it hit a whole different level. Still loved it. Brutal Intentions is my third ever audiobook listen. I remember I would cringe listening to smut the first time around. Admittedly, I still do but Laz made me blush ๐
โ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐:
โข arranged marriage
โข boy obsessed
โข breath play
โข breeding kink
โข bully romance
โข broody mmc
โข dub-con
โข enemies to lovers
โข enemies with benefits
โข forbidden romance
โข forced pregnancy
โข forced proximity
โข mistress
โข morally grey
โข pill tampering
โข praise king
โข step-dad/step-daughter
โข surprise baby
โข taboo
โข virgin heroine
If you couldn't tell already (if you follow me), I love everything I read from Lilith. As a beta reader, I love seeing everyone's reactions come in as ARCs go out. They bring a smile to face.
I haven't shared much about this book with teasers posts as I did the Pageant Duet because I didn't want overshare it. I felt like it was best to go in blind for this. Laz is pretty snarky and your impression of him should be organic. Never once did I dislike him; the one I did dislike was Mia's mom, Guilia. Her sisters occasionally did give me weird vibes but did grow to like them, specially Rieta, who stuck by Mia's side.
Since I haven't read a book in a long time the birth control tampering, it was exciting to see it through and Mia's reactions about it. Though Laz was snarky it wasn't always directed to Mia. He's like Batman - dark and broody but secretly a softie.
"๐ฒ๐๐๐ ๐๐, ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐'๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐. ๐ญ๐๐๐๐๐๐."
โโขโซโโโโโชโขโฆ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐โฆโขโซโโโโโชโขโ
This book is still *chef's kiss*
Listening how depraved Laz is rather than reading it hit a whole different level. Still loved it. Brutal Intentions is my third ever audiobook listen. I remember I would cringe listening to smut the first time around. Admittedly, I still do but Laz made me blush ๐
โ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐:
โข arranged marriage
โข boy obsessed
โข breath play
โข breeding kink
โข bully romance
โข broody mmc
โข dub-con
โข enemies to lovers
โข enemies with benefits
โข forbidden romance
โข forced pregnancy
โข forced proximity
โข mistress
โข morally grey
โข pill tampering
โข praise king
โข step-dad/step-daughter
โข surprise baby
โข taboo
โข virgin heroine
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment